Man Bribes Massachusetts State Troopers with Candy
We at TopMark Funding take pride in bringing the most important news story of the current month to your inbox. However, when we first heard about this story, we felt obligated to cover it just because of how absurd it is.
Details
A 48-year-old man from Boston was charged with extortion and sentenced to 366 days in prison after he was caught working with state troopers to pass drivers and give them CDLs so that they could work at the delivery company where the man was employed.
His secret weapons? Twizzlers and swedish fish gummies.
The U.S. attorney’s office issued a statement highlighting just how absurd the entire story was:
“Mathison [the Boston man] worked for a water company that employed drivers who needed CDLs to drive their delivery vehicles. Cederquist [one of the bribed state troopers] gave passing scores to multiple applicants from the water company who actually failed the CDL skills test, as well as others who took only a partial test, in exchange for bribes of free inventory from the water company, such as cases of bottled Fiji, VOSS and Essentia water, cases of bottled Arizona Iced Tea, coffee and tea products, energy drinks, and Twizzlers and Swedish Fish candy, all of which Mathison delivered to an office trailer at the CDL test site in Stoughton, Mass. Mathison admitted to his communications with Cederquist about particular CDL applicants and their performance on the skills test as well as inventory from the water company that Cederquist requested and that Mathison delivered. For example, Mathison received texts from Cederquist describing one water company applicant as “an idiot,” who had “no idea what he’s doing,” and “should have failed about 10 times already.” Cederquist then gave this applicant a passing score. On another occasion, Mathison asked Cederquist, “Hows the trailer holding,” to which Cederquist responded, “In desperate need of restocking,” along with a specific request for, among other things, premium bottled water, tea, energy drinks and a “truckload of large water.”
Conclusion
As odd and hilarious as this story is, it is ultimately a good thing that they were caught. Managing an 18-wheeler is a massive responsibility and were the state troopers allowed to continue giving CDLs to flunkies (authorities estimate Cederquist alone passed 40 failed drivers), someone would have eventually been seriously injured. No amount of Arizona Iced Tea, delicious as it may be, is worth that!
Other Trucking Articles You May Like
- DOT Considers Fentanyl Testing
- USA to Halt Work Visas for Truckers
- FMCSA Extends Paper Medical Waiver
- EPA to Roll Back Diesel Exhaust Fluid Regulations
- Four Truck Manufacturers Go on Offensive Against CARB
- Mid-Year Fuel Tax Changes
- Truck Parking Coming to JFK Airport
- Big Beautiful Bill Reinstates 100% Bonus Depreciation
- California Highway Patrol Lagging on English Enforcement
- Sean Duffy Speaks Before House on Transportation Budge
- House Panel Approves $200 Million in Truck Parking Spending
ABOUT TOPMARK FUNDING
TopMark Funding is a top-rated semi-truck financing and trailer financing company located in Roseville, CA. We specialize in commercial trucking and heavy equipment. Our mission is to become your long-term financial partner by helping you grow your trucking business and fleet.
We’re not here for the short term; we’re on the long haul with you!
We have financing options for trailers, semi-trucks, commercial trucks, and small businesses. We have great rates, low down payments, and flexible monthly payments regardless of credit history.
Learn more about Trailer Financing.
Fill out the contact form or give us a call at (866) 627-6644. One of our truck financing specialists will contact you as soon as possible to go over your truck lease needs and learn more about you and your business financing goals.
